LIC Arts Open Festival

In its 3rd year, LIC Arts Open is an eight day festival in Queens that hosts art events and exhibitions of all kinds. This year’s open studios—taking place May 17 & 18—has well over 100 participating artists. Visitors should start with Paula Heisen, whose wild still life paintings often recall an event or state of mind more so than the actual items she depicts. Dinosaurs, birds, and snakes are just a few of the creatures who inhabit her brightly patterned interiors. Her studio houses a vast collection of these figurines, fabrics and many other objects that appear in her work. Heisen will be in her studio to speak with guests Saturday and Sunday from 12-6 pm. MARY NEGRO